GREGORY [shrinking]. Oh, don't.

MRS. JUNO. Or was it the usual aimless man's lark: a mere
shipboard flirtation?

GREGORY. Oh, no, no: nothing half so bad, so vulgar, so wrong. I
assure you I only meant to be agreeable. It grew on me before I
noticed it.

MRS. JUNO. And you were glad to let it grow?

GREGORY. I let it grow because the board was not up.

MRS. JUNO. Bother the board! I am just as fond of Sibthorpe as--

GREGORY. Sibthorpe!

MRS. JUNO. Sibthorpe is my husband's Christian name. I oughtn't
to call him Tops to you now.

GREGORY [chuckling]. It sounded like something to drink. But I
have no right to laugh at him. My Christian name is Gregory,
which sounds like a powder.

MRS. JUNO [chilled]. That is so like a man! I offer you my
heart's warmest friendliest feeling; and you think of nothing but
a silly joke. A quip like that makes you forget me.

GREGORY. Forget you! Oh, if I only could!